~
Feel free to discuss any topic related to the Mitchell Camera. Both 35 mm and 16 mm models are welcomed here. Also consider posting topics of other major motion picture cameras that you feel are important to the development of the Mitchell Camera.

Update: You may have noticed that we have returned to just one category as opposed to dividing the forum into 7 different areas. Apparently, it was an unpopular change and returning to the old format will allow posters to find their submissions more easily.
~

Hello all. I was just wondering if anyone here has any information at all on the Mitchell Vista 205 R which I believe came out in 1973. I have only seen a few pictures of this camera taken on the set of the motion picture Apocalypse Now and have seen a 1973 sales sheet on it describing it as a lightweight blimped Studio Camera (96 Pounds) with a picture. It seems to have been made to compete with the Panavision PSR as it looks similar in design. I was wondering why there is so Little out there regarding this camera.

I’m not going to try and say I have the answer but I have some thoughts on what I have picked up and can deduce. Basically it was too little too late. Mitchell seemed to lack the drive to improve as it had been on top for so long. By the time Panavision got going, they came up with a better, and quieter camera. Apparently the 205 R was too noisy adding to . Apparently the 205 R is a very good camera, just not for sound filming.

hi I am new to the group here... just purchased a mitchell mickey mouse ears of a camera....on the web...

will eventually like to pick up a complete one... in due time.... can any research be done with the following info on the equipment its no 830 mode 16-400.
( maybe a movie it was used on etc)
any help will be really appreciated... thx....

Your mag is for 16mm film. Mitchell made thousands of these and they were used for a number of cameras other than mitchells through the years - Auricon conversions and cinema products CP 16's as well as Frezolies, Wilcam16's spring immediately to mind. The Mitchell models would be the original 16 Pro from 1947 (when they started making 16mm cameras) and the SSr16 and DSR 16's from the 1960-70's.
Sorry to say, finding any production specifics on magazines even 35 studio mags is an impossibility unless you happen find a production picture. As these were considered accessories, their serial number very rarely tracked with that of a camera simply because multiple mags would be used. And, perishingly few feature films originated on 16mm. Tho 16 was the realm of documentaries, the vast majority of 16mm was TV news, research, poverty TV series and porn.
As yours is a relatively low serial number, the likely candidate for camera is the 16Pro. You can see it here - http://www.mitchellcamera.com/blimpedcameras.html
As the 5th video down.

The Mitchell 205R was a highly modified BNC. It was converted for spinning mirror reflex viewing, crystal motor, and it was put in a smaller custom blimp housing. The camera was and is a fine camera. They were part of a rental company in England and Italy, and the conversion was available to the public, I can’t remember the name of the company at the moment, They were a nice camera, smaller and a little lighter and quieter than the BNCR.

Sorry it took some time but both of us have been jammed up on other projects. Hope this answer some questions. ED.